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J. PATTEN.

GUN.

7 APPLICATION FILED JAN-9,1912. 1 1 94,879 Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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J. PATTEN.

GUN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-9,1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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J. PATTEN.

GUN. APPLICATION FILED-JANA), m2.

Patented Aug. 15,1916. h 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN PATTEN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND; ASSIGNOR OF SEVENTY-FIVE ONE- ;IUNDBEDTHS TO C. WILBUR MILLER AND ERNEST B. MILLER.

GUN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Application filed January 9, 1912. Serial No. 670,330.

T 0 all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, J OIIN PATTEN, a cit zen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guns, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to improve the range and accuracy of gunsof large caliber and to prolong the life of such llIlS.

g In order to obtain accuracy in firing it is necessary that a projectile should rotate rapidly upon its longitudinal axis and to produce such rotation it has been customary to provide the interior walls of guns with spiral grooves or rifling, and to provide the projectiles with bands of copper or other soft metal adapted to engage the rifling in the gun and impart rotation to the projectile as it passes through the barrel. This means of rotating the projectiles is open to several serious objections. In the first place, a considerable proportion of the energy of the powder gases is expended in imparting rotation to the projectile and the velocity of the projectile and its range are correspondingly reduced. A more serious objection is that the friction between the projectile and gun which is necessary to produce the rotation of the former very rapidly wears out the rifling and renders the gun unfit for use. It is well known that rifled high power guns can only be relied upon to fire from 100 to 250 times, after which they are useless.

According to the present invention 1 dispense with the rifling and provide the gun with a smooth cylindrical bore. The projectile is turned to accurately fit the bore of the gun and is rotated inthe gun by means independent of the gun and the powder charge. The preferred means for rotating the projectile is a turbine operated by compressed air, which can be taken from the same source as the air which is now commonly used to clear the gun after each firing.

One rorm of mechanism for carrying. my invention into practice will now be described in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the rear end or breech of a gun provided with my improvements; Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on the breech of a gun showing a rammer lines 2-2 and of Fig. 1, re-

spectively; Fig. 4 is a sectional View of the in the act of placing a projectile in the gun; Fig. {5 is a partial section showing the projectile in the gun immediately after the charge has been fired; Fig. 6 is a partial section showng the manner of moving the projectile into the gun; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a face view of the inner end of the ramrod; Fig. 9 is a rear view of the projectile showing the pawl which engages the rotary spindle; Fig. 10 1s a perspective view of the collar which carries the switches for controlling the supply of a r to themotor; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the collar carrying the pins for setting the switches.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a gun barrel, 2 the breech block, 3 the mushroom, 4 the packing between the breech block and mushroom, 5 the powder charge and 6 a projectile. The gun has a smooth cylindrical bore 8 and the projectile has cylindrical portions which are turned to a close working fit in the'bore. Between these cylindrical portions the diameter of the projectile is reduced, as at 9, thus providing an annular recess between the gun and the projectile into which a charge of oil or other suitable lubricant is injected, after the projectile is in the gun, through a small lateral opening 10 in the bore of the gun, as shown in Fig. 1. The pipe 11 leading to this opening is preferably provided with a check valve 12. The lubricant is forced in under high pressure so that it will fill the annular recess about the projectile and suitably lubear upon the wall of the gun. Any suitable means for supplying a controlling oil under pressure may be used. I

The powder .chamber 12 is preferably of larger diameter than the bore of the gun, thus providing a shoulder 13 which may be used to stop the projectile at the proper point when it is rammed into the gun. The projectile is preferably provided with a flange 14, adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 13 to stop the projectile. This flange serves also as a cup valve to prevent the powder gases passing out between the projectile and the gun, thus preventing any waste of energy and insuring maximum effeet from the powder used. The flange 1 1 is secured in place by a'ring 15 of slightly less diameter than the projectile, thus providing a. recess into which the fiange may fold as the projectile starts its movement.

Figs. 1 and 4 show the projectile in place before firing and Fig. 5 shows the projectile in the act of moving through the gun with the fiange 14 occupying the recess surrounding the ring 15. The flange 14 is preferably constructed of tough ductile metal, such as copper. The ring 15 has an annular recess adapted to be engaged by pawls upon a ramrod to be presently described.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, 17 indicates a ramrod or implement for inserting theprojectile in the gun. The ramrod is provided with a suitablehandle 18 and with a disk- ]ike head 19 which carries a plurality of radial pawls 20, normally pressed forward by springs 21 (Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8). The pawls 20 are preferably cylindrically arranged about the head 19 so as to effectively grasp the projectile in any position of the head. Just before the projectile is rammed home, as shown in Fig. 4, the outer ends of the pawls engage a second annular shoulder 22 at the inner end of the powder cham her and the pawls are thrown back, releasing the rammer from the projectile. The rammer may then be withdrawn, leaving the projectile in position for firing. A tray 23 is temporarily inserted in the breech of the gun to carry the projectile over the threads in which the breech block looks. The tray is of such length that the point of the pro jectile will be well into the bore of the gun before the rear end of the projectile leaves the tray and hence in moving into the gun the projectile does not ride on the floor of the powder chamber.

The means for rotating the projectile comprises a rotary spindle 24, extending centrally through the breech block and having at its inner end an angular groove 25 adapted to be engaged by a spring pawl 26, seated in the rear end of the projectile 6, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9. The projectile is provided with a recess into which the pawl 26 may move to permit the projectile to rotate more rapidly than the spindle, should the motion of a spindle be slowed down before firing. The spindle is driven by a suitable motor, preferably a turbine operated by compressed air, and forms a direct 1connection between the motor and projecti e.

As shown, 27 indicates the rotary member of the turbine (Figs. 1 and 2) which is mounted on the spindle 24 and connected to the spindle by means of a multiple disk clutch 28. The clutch members are inclosed in a hub 29 of the wheel 27. Alternate platesof the clutch are connected to the hub and the spindle. The plates are normally pressed together by a spring 30, the

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tension of which can be adjusted by a nut 31 on the end of a spindle. The spindle is prevented from longitudinal movement in the mushroom stem by a collar 32. In the rear of the collar'are packing rings 33 and in the rear of the packing rings a locking collar 34 is provided. The collar 34 has a handle 35 and it is connected with the mushroom by mutilated threads, similar to those which connect the breech block with the gun. A partial rotation of the collar 34 unlocks it from the'mushroom and permits the withdrawal of the spindle 24. The compressed air for operating the turbine is supplied through a tube 36 which may be flexibly connected with some'suitable source. For the purpose of regulating the motor the air is supplied through a plurality of channels 37, which are controlled by valves 38. These valves, as shown, are constructed of iron and are normally held open by electromagnets 39, the circuits of which are controlled by a governor, as will be presently explained. The magnets are respectively included in electric circuits 40 and each circuit includes a pair of contact plates 41 and a knife switch 42. The switch blades 42 are pivotally carried on a collar 43, as shown in Fig. 10, which collar is mounted on the rear part of the mushroom stem. The switch blades project rearwardly from the collar 43 into the path of a governor device and they are at different distances from the spindle 24, whereby they are adapted to be struck in succession by the governor as it moves outward radially by the increasing speed of the spindle upon which it is mounted. The governor 44 is shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 and it consists of a casing adapted to slide radially upon a rectangular block 45 which is fast on the spindle 24. The governor casing has a recess in one end inwhich is a radial spring 46, while the other end 47 is solid and heavy.

The center of gravity of the governor casing is eccentric to the spindle, that is at the side of the spindle on which the heavy end 47 is located, ,and as the spindle is rotated the heavy or striking end 47 moves outward. The parts are so proportioned that when the spindle reaches the maximum speed desired for the rotation of the projectile, the governor will strike the innermost switch knife 42 and open the switch, thus cutting ofi current from one of the magnets 39 and releasing its armature valve 38. The pressure of the air will immediately close the valve and hold it closed, thus reducing the supply to the motor. Should the speed still further increase the second switch will be opened. Should the motor be left running after firing the gun the governor would open a third switch and cut off the entire supply of air. It will thus be seen that means are provided for preventing too top rapid rotation of the projectile and for preventing racing of the motor when it is disengaged from the projectile.

Itis often desirable that the maximum speed of rotation of the projectile should be reached very quickly after the projectile is placed in the gun and for this reason I prefer to use a powerful motor. After the projectile has reached the desired speed, a uniform rotation can be kept up with less power and for this reason, among others, the automatic means for cutting down the supply of air are provided.

The switches 41, 42 are simultaneously closed prior to starting the motor by means of pins 48 on a collar 49, which rotates within the collar 43, the pins extending out through slots 50 in the collar 43. The collar 49 is provided with a handle 51..

In hurried firing it will also be desirable to stop the motor quickly and this is accomplished, as shown, by means of a brake. As shown in Fig. 2, the brake comprises two semi-circular parts 52, 53, surrounding the turbine wheel 27 and pivotally connected to a fixed pin 54. The two parts of the brake are normally separated by a spring 55 and they may be drawn together by a hand lever 56.

The operation of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description and need only be stated very briefly.

The breech block is unlocked by giving it a partial rotation and it may then be removed from the gun in the usual manner. The breech block and its connected mechanism may be supported in any usual manner when disconnected from the gun. As suitable carriers for breech blocks and firing mechanism are well known, it has .not been thought necessary to illustrate a support for the breech block in the present case. After the breech blockis withdrawn from the gun the projectile is inserted in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The ramrod and loading tray are then withdrawn and the powder placed in the powder chamber. The powder packages 5 are provided with central openings through which the spindle 24: asses. The breech block is then inserted in the gun and locked therein by a partial turn. Oil is now injected under pressure through the orifice 10 and the projectile thoroughly lubricated. At the same time air is admitted to the turbine, the entire 'series of valves 38 being open. The turbine picks'up speed rapidly and quickly imparts the desired rotation to the projectile through the clutch 28 and the spindle 24. The charge of powder is then fired by some suitable means. An orifice 57 (Fig. 1) in the side of the powder chamber may be used to conduct flame from a suitable primer on' the side of a gun for the purpose of firing.

By constructing the projectiles to accurately fit the bore of the gun and amply lubricating them they may be fired without damage to the gun and the life of the gun thus indefinitely prolonged. Any desired rapidity of rotation may be imparted to the projectile without injury to the gun or drawing upon a force of the explosion. The s eed .and range of the rojectlle will thereore be a maximum or the amount of powder used. That is, the entire force of the explosion will be expended in imparting forward movement to t e projectile.

While I have described in some detail a turbine motor as the means for furnishing power to rotate the projectile, and compressed air as the preferable fluid for operating the motor, I desire it to be understood that the invention, in its broader features is not limited to any particular type of motor smooth bore and breech block, of a projectile having a movable pawl, a spindle extending through the powder chamber and adapted to be engaged by the pawl of the projectile, for rotating the latter, and means for rotating the spindle.

2. The combination with a gun having a smooth bore, of a breech block, a rotary spindle mounted in the breech block, a turbine motor, a clutch device arranged between said motor and the spindle, and means for connecting the inner end of the spindle with a projectile to rotate the latter, said means being adapted to permit the projectile to rotate relative to the spindle.

3. The combination with a gun havinga smooth bore, of means for rotating a projectile within the gun comprising a turbine motor, and means for automatically cutting oif a portion of the fluid supply to said motor when the motor exceeds a predetermined speed.

4. The combination with a gun having a smooth bore, of means for rotating a projectile within the bore of the gun, said means comprising a rotary spindle extending through the breech block, a compressed air turbine, a plurality of channels for conducting air to said turbine, valves for said channels, a governor and means controlled by the governor for cutting ofi' the supply of air through said channels successively.

5. The combination with a gun having a smooth bore, of a projectile having two separated portions fitting said bore closely and an intermediate annular recess, and a conduit through the wall of the gun arranged to conduct lubricant to said recess.

6. The combination with a gun having a smooth bore, of a projectile having two separated portions fitting said bore closely and an intermediate annular recess, and a conduit through the wall of the gun arranged to conduct lubricant tosaid recess, said conduit being provided with a check valve.

7. The combination with agun having a smooth bore, and a breech block, of means for rotating a projectile within the gun comprising a spindle rotatably'mounted in the breech block, a turbine wheel rotatably mounted on the spindle, a friction clutch between the turbine wheel and the spindle, and a conduit for motive fluid leading to said turbine.

8. The combination with a gun having a smooth bore and a breech block, of means for rotating a projectile within the gun comprising a spindle rotatably mounted in the breech block, a turbine wheel rotatably mounted on the spindle, a friction clutch between the turbine wheel and the spindle, a plurality of conduits for conducting air under pressure to said turbine, electrically controlled valves for said conduits, switches for the circuits of said valves, and a governor device adapted to operate said switches successively as the speed of the turbine increases.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PATTEN.

Witnesses MARY M. MAGRAW, JOHN THOMAS LEBEU. 

